Museum's new living exhibit

MSI welcomes its second Month at the Museum winner

Kevin Byrne of Chicago steps into the glass box that will be his bedroom as winner of the Museum of Science and Industry's Month at the Museum competition. (Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune)

Not even the best real estate agent in the city could have found Kevin Byrne a home with a submarine, a coal mine and Dr. Seuss.

Byrne's new digs have all that and more. The Chicago resident was chosen to spend 30 days living at the Museum of Science and Industry as the winner of Month at the Museum 2.

The 33-year-old analyst at a digital marketing agency was chosen from nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide. He will leave his Uptown home Oct. 19 and roam the 14-acre museum until Nov. 17. The public can follow his stay via his blog at monthatthemuseum.org.

The museum announced its choice during a ceremony Wednesday that featured the six finalists each holding a flame next to a pumpkin with a balloon inside. Only Byrne's was filled with hydrogen, causing the balloon to explode.

Byrne, who also will receive a $10,000 prize, holds a master's in integrated marketing communications and a bachelor's degree in biology.

Byrne's stay is the sequel to that of Chicagoan Kate McGroarty, the museum's first "roommate" last fall.